Chamber Blog

Do you work or volunteer with a CPA who is dedicated to giving back to the community? Nominate them for the CPA Manitoba Community Service Award.

As you know, community-based organizations rely on the dedication of knowledgeable and committed volunteers to support their boards, contribute to daily tasks, direct their vision and achieve their goals.

Recognizing that many of the approximately 7400 Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in Manitoba dedicate their time to volunteering in some capacity, CPA Manitoba created the Community Service Award as part of our Member Recognition Program.

The Member Recognition Program recognizes the excellence of CPAs who make remarkable contributions in a variety of different ways. Each year the program culminates at a gala where award winners receive their awards in front of friends, family and colleagues.

The CPA Manitoba Community Service Award is bestowed to members who have made outstanding contributions to community service or volunteer organizations.

In the two years since the inception of the program, we have been pleased to recognize two individuals for their service. However, this recognition would not be possible without others taking the time to complete a nomination package.

We ask that you help spread the word about this program and nomination criteria.

Our 2017-2018 event season is kicking-off at our first Membership Luncheon of the year on Friday, Sept. 29 at Centennial Concert Hall, where Alexander Mickelthwate will share his leadership secrets with hundreds of businesses.

You’ve got your season seats, and YOU’RE READY TO NETWORK.

Here are nine tips to maximize your time (and leads) at our luncheons:

1. Find out who you’re sitting with
Did you know you can email The Chamber and find out who you’re sitting with? Well, you can! Don’t be afraid to call us a few days before the luncheon to ask. We love when our members are thinking ahead to maximize their time at our events. If you’re way ahead, you can even request to sit with a specific sector or company. We can’t make any promises – but we always try to accommodate.

2. Do your research
Once you know who you’ll be having lunch with, do your research and find out what you can about their business. Visit their website and check out their social media channels. You can learn a lot about a company based on their interactions online – such as what they do and how your business can help them.

Chamber Tip:
Email The Chamber staff and ask who you’re sitting with before the luncheon.

3. Have specific goals
Our events bring in anywhere from 400-1500 attendees and it can be hard to navigate through all the action. You definitely won’t be able to talk to everyone, but if you come prepared with specific goals and perhaps individuals you want to connect with – you’ll be successful.

For example, say you do sales for your organization – you can set the goal to schedule meetings with three new leads. Or, if you do fundraising – you can set the goal to spark conversation with three of the organizations that donated to your last campaign (donor relation at its finest!).

4. Update your LinkedIn Profile
If you’ve attended our events in the past, you’ll notice after each event you’ll receive at least a few LinkedIn invites from your fellow tablemates or someone you had exchanged business cards with during the networking session. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with your current position and contact information. Bonus points if you update your feed regularly with useful content that will add value to your followers (e.g. saving programs your business has to offer to other Chamber members).

5. Practice your elevator pitch
You know your business inside and out, but if you had 30 seconds to explain what your business does and why you’re so unique – what do you say? That’s your elevator pitch. There’s hundreds of other businesses there that he/she can have a conversation with – so you need to be ready to quickly share your story and capture their interest. But don’t try to explain too much – we’ll explain why later.

6. Dress to impress
People often ask our team what to wear at our events. Truth is, we don’t expect you to come in a suit, in fact it’s not necessary (for example, company t-shirts are also a guest favourite!). An easy rule is to treat the luncheon like a business meeting. Whether you’re coming straight from the office or from home – dress how you want your business represented.

7. Be interested
You’re finally at our event – now it’s time to network and make some genuine business connections. You’ve practiced your elevator pitch which is great, but the key to great networking is asking questions. Find out about their business and what initiatives they have going on. Be genuinely interested in their business. Maybe there’s an issue their business is facing that your business can help resolve.

8. Exchange business cards
Again, our membership luncheons bring in hundreds of businesses. Yes, you may be hitting it off and having a wonderful conversation, but try not to focus on one individual. He or she is likely wanting to make her rounds too. In order to respect both your times, be sure to wrap up conversations by exchanging business cards or scheduling a time to grab coffee another time.

Pro-tip: Don’t be afraid to write notes from your conversation on their business cards. For example, if you met with Jill from Company X and they’re asking for a quote for windows for their new office – write down “quote – new downtown office.”

Chamber Tip:
Write notes from your conversation on their business cards.

9. Follow-up ASAP
When you get back to your office that day, be sure to take those business cards out of your purse, or wallets or back pockets. Pin them to your corkboard or keep them by your phone as a reminder to send them a follow-up email (you’ll notice how helpful those scribbles on their business cards really make a difference!).

It doesn’t even hurt to follow-up right when you get back to your desk – it shows you’re on top of your business and are genuinely interested in theirs.

If you haven't purchased your season seats yet, no problem! They're still available to purchase online here until Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 11:59 P.M.

Robb Nash was on the path to becoming a major commercial success, topping the charts and touring with some of the biggest names in the Canadian music industry.

Instead of pursuing a career with his band Late on Arrival, Nash made an unusual choice by tearing up his record deal and trading concert stages for school gyms.

“Doing some big shows was amazing, but I really wanted to do something that wasn't just successful, but rather significant,” says Nash.

Through the Robb Nash Project, Nash and his band have an opportunity to change – and save – the lives of young people who feel hopeless and lost. The award-winning Project encourages teens to make positive life choices through the power of music.

Music saved Nash’s life after a horrific car crash with a semi-truck in his teens. His skull was shattered, he wasn’t breathing and he was found with no pulse at the scene.

Against all odds, he was revived by the first responder but didn’t walk away unscathed. After the accident, he was in a coma, missed months of his memory and underwent skull, chest and shoulder reconstructive surgery. He suffered from depression for over a year during the long and difficult rehabilitation process, but didn't talk to anyone about his struggles.

Once recuperated, Nash felt he had been given a second shot at life and put his energy into creating uplifting music to help troubled youth.“I wondered how many others were suffering in silence, considering suicide like me and not talking about it,” says Nash. To date, the Robb Nash Project has reached over one million students. They’ve received over 683 suicide notes and collected hundreds of razor blades and bottles of prescription drugs – all from students moved by his music.These teens inspired Nash to further commit to his mission by tattooing the signatures of the first 120 suicide notes he received on his right arm. One of those signatures belongs to Taylor Bowman, who first saw the Robb Nash Project perform at her school, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate, five years ago.“When I was 15, I felt very alone, and then when the guys came to my school and played a show, that’s when I realized I wasn’t alone,” says Bowman. “I’m much more open and able to talk about what I went through.”It’s the impact of these personal stories that motivates Nash to continue building the organization, reaching out to partners like the TELUS Manitoba Community Board to make a difference in regions where his voice and his story needs to be heard. As a recent recipient of one of TELUS’ community grants, the Robb Nash Project now has more resources to run a robust program in Manitoba.“Organizations like the Robb Nash Project make a tangible difference in the lives of youth in our community,” says Dave Johnston, Chair of the TELUS Manitoba Community Board. “Our board members are committed to finding and funding youth-focused charities that are helping our next generation succeed. Hearing stories from young people like Taylor reinforce the importance of this innovative initiative, which wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of TELUS and its customers.”

Very soon, local youth will have an opportunity to meet Nash and connect with his story. The performances are scheduled to run at various Manitoba high schools from October to February this school year.“There are so many people that don't know about the resources available to them, and we’re just trying to get them to seek the help they need,” says Nash. “It’s amazing when one person opens up and others see they’re not alone. There’s so much power in that. When someone's heart starts to fail them, the world around them comes running to help. But when someone's brain starts to fail them, the world runs away. We are trying to change that, because we’re losing some really amazing and talented people to addiction and suicide.”Thanks to the Robb Nash Project, many young Manitobans now reach out before they resort to self-harm. By creating authentic connections with these teens, Nash’s messages of hope will continue to make a difference in helping these youth succeed.

The next deadline for the TELUS Manitoba Community Board (grants supporting registered grassroots charities for up to $20,000) is January 15, 2018. Interested organization should apply online here.

As flu season approaches, we're pleased to extend an offer from our member Exchange District Pharmacy to help you and your team fight off illness without interrupting your busy schedules. Read on for details of a free mobile flu shot clinic coming to visit your workplace.

As you may be aware, the flu season is upon us. The highly contagious virus can be debilitating, putting strain on one’s personal well-being as well as their professional well-being. It leads to sick days and decreased productivity and the worst part is that it spreads like wild-fire, affecting others and triggering a bigger drop in productivity.

In addition to consistent hand-washing, one of the best ways to reduce your risk is to get the annual flu shot. Health care professionals highly recommend it as it basically “trains” your immune system to fight off the flu. However, it is understandable that having a busy professional life can make it difficult to take the necessary time to properly take care of yourself.

I am writing this to propose a “Flu Clinic” at your organization. Simply, a health care professional such as a physician, pharmacist, or nurse will come in, set up a booth and provide flu shots in a private and confidential manner to all those that desire it. This is fully free of charge, as it is covered by Manitoba Health, and it puts minimal strain on productivity, as staff and colleagues can get the “flu shot” at work. There is no need to drive anywhere or to wait around long at clinics and/or physician’s offices. The goal is to optimize health outcomes with minimal interference with your daily activities.

Last year, over 50 flu clinics were scheduled successfully and we hope to do more. Again, there is a one page pre-assessment, which can be done before hand. This is used to proactively screen and ensure the flu vaccine is appropriate and safe. (eg. Allergies, Medical Conditions, Drug interactions, etc.). The Manitoba Health card is required, as it is needed for coverage and documentation. Simply this is how the “flu-shot” gets logged on to your medical history. The entire process takes a couple minutes and before long, you are back to doing what you do best, life!
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By getting the flu shot, it reduces the risk of getting the flu, as you come in contact with numerous clients and colleagues. It prevents sick days and reduces any potential loss in productivity. Ultimately this enables everyone to reach their full potential at work.

While the provincial government should be acknowledged for consulting Manitobans before implementing health care premiums, The Winnipeg Chamber opposes the introduction of yet another layer of taxation

If Manitoba chooses to match other jurisdictions (where an average two-income family pays about $75 per month), a family would experience a cost equivalent to a 3% PST hike. Given the laundry list of escalating costs Manitobans have faced recently – CPP and EI increases, PST increase, Hydro rate increases, rising municipal realty taxes and levies, growing school board taxes and school fees and a yet to be determined carbon tax as well as the federal proposed business tax changes, Manitobans have moved beyond tax fatigue into tax exhaustion.

Manitobans’ health care services are already paid for through personal income taxes, corporate taxes, the payroll tax (Health and Education Support Levy), provincial sales tax, tobacco tax, etc. The possible introduction of yet another tax calculated without consideration of existing taxes shows the dire need for Manitoba to strike a Tax Review Commission immediately. It has been 18 years and counting since Manitoba last reviewed the entire tax system. A lot has changed in 18 years. What hasn’t, unfortunately, is continued ad hoc, patchwork tax policy, at all levels of government, undermining business confidence and certainty.
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As The Winnipeg Chamber will voice our members’ thoughts, we encourage all Manitobans to share your feedback with the Province. Let the provincial government know that “living within one’s means” applies to them as well.

Before our season premier on Sept. 29, Alexander Micklethwate, music director of the WSO, and passionate community leader, shares lessons learned and what he'll miss most about Winnipeg.

1. How do you best communicate your vision with your team?
As a symphony conductor it’s all about creating an absolutely fine-tuned and well-oiled machine out of 70 individuals performing in total synchronicity. My tools range from spoken technical observations to emotional hand gestures. There is nothing like it.

2. What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
I believe every leader has to have some form of total obsession in regards of the product he/she is working on.

3. What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
It seems that the old hierarchical model of organizations is being replaced by a model where everybody wants to be a leader. THE leader has to recognize that and find ways to inspire all the other leaders.

4. How do you ensure everyone on your team is happy?
At the end it’s all about the outcome. It’s exciting to be part of a winning team. It’s exciting to be part of creation. It’s the leaders responsibility to create ownership among the team and that way generate extreme satisfaction among everybody.

"Every leader has to have some form of total obsession."

5. What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader?
I would suggest to first of all either play in a band, perform in a play, or join a sports team. Then I would suggest to prepare a band, direct a play or coach a team. Try out different roles to see the impact leadership makes.

*Bonus question:Other than the WSO, what will you miss most about Winnipeg?
Those ice-cold, crystal-clear, blue-skied winter days where everything is covered with frost.

To hear more of Alexander's story, join us for Leading Teams to Harmony, our September Membership Luncheon on Sept. 29 at the Centennial Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased here.

For 70 years, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has been a leading voice for culture in our city; a champion of Winnipeg's artistic identity and soul in a rapidly changing world.

On September 29 we're thrilled to celebrate their leadership - as well as the individual leadership of Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate - at our first luncheon of our season Leading Teams to Harmony. We certainly expect engaging personal reflections on leadership from one of Winnipeg's most charismatic advocates, along with lessons for businesses that come when you thrive over seven decades of change.

1952: Kaufmann starts a series of concerto workshops for young gifted local soloists, which gave the budding artists an opportunity to rehearse and perform informally with an orchestra

1954: Winnipeg-born cellist Zara Nelsova returns to perform as special guest with the WSO in December

1955: First Symphony Week: three half-hour noon concerts: two held at provincial legislature, third at city hall including Mayor George Sharpe, provincial treasurer Ron Turner and Barbara Mano Vieira, the reigning Miss Hawaii1956: Pianist Glenn Gould performs as special guest with the WSO, January & December1957: Walter Kaufmann’s final concert including Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Mozart’s Oboe Concerto and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, January 17

1958: Victor Feldbrill starts as Music Director; WSO more than doubled its annual performances from 17 to 371959: Pianist Glenn Gould returns to perform as special guest with WSO, October (his first ever performance of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1, of which a CD of this performance was recently released).1961: Cellist Leonard Rose performs as special guest, February1962: WSO now playing 12 subscription concerts (there are nearly as many Sunday afternoon Pops, and four times as many school concerts)1963: WSO makes first visit to Saskatchewan with Feldbrill conducting, January1966: Arthur Polson becomes concertmaster of the WSO; WSO returns to Saskatchewan on tour1967: WSO Celebrates 20 years; Cellist Jacqueline du Pré performs as special guest, March; Violinist David Oistrakh performs as special guest with Arthur Fielder conducting, December

1968: Last season in the Winnipeg Auditorium; The WSO performs first concert in the Centennial Concert Hall led by Feldbrill, March 27; George Cleve starts as Music Director1969: Manitoba Planetarium synchronized moon-landing footage with the WSO’s performance of Gustav Holst’s suite The Planets, November1970: Piero Gamba leads the WSO on tour in Ottawa and Toronto, November1971: Piero Gamba officially starts as Music Director1972: WSO launches its season with the first of many Concerts in the Park and drew 15,000 people, the largest audience to attend an arts presentation in the province’s history to date, Labour Day weekend. Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich performs as special guest, February1973: WSO begins “An Evening in Old Vienna”1974: Comedy legend Victor Borge performs as special Pops guest, February1975: Violinist Itzhak Perlman performs as special guest, May1976: Kirill Kondrashin appears as special guest conductor, April; Free Dominion Day concert at Manitoba legislature with Gamba conducting, July 11978: WSO tours in Cornwall, Kingston, Barrie, Niagra Falls, Kitchener and Ottawa, March-April

1979: WSO performs at Carnegie Hall, New York City, March 31981: Violinist Yehudi Menuhin performs as special guest, March1982: Barry Tuckwell performs as special guest conductor and horn player, November1983: Kazuhiro Koizumi starts as Music Director1984: Pianist Mark Zeltser performs as special guest, September1985: Robert Shaw performs as special guest conductor, January1986: Violinist Midori performs as special guest, December1987: WSO Concertmaster Gwen Hoebig appointed1988: Violinist James Ehnes makes his WSO debut as special guest, October1989: Bramwell Tovey starts as Music Director1991: WSO tests the waters for the feasibility of a New Music Festival with a pair of events called A Portrait of Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Grammatté, Jan & Feb

1992: The WSO’s New Music Festival debuts in January with Artistic Director Bramwell Tovey & first WSO Composer-in-Residence Glenn Buhr1993: Henry Mancini performs as special Pops guest, November1994: During a New Music Festival concert, the stage lights burned out and left dancers in the dark. They didn’t stop the performance and Hugh Conacher, technical director, fixed the problem in a matter of two or three minutes.1995: WSO’s morning concert series at the MB Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation began during the Christmas season. A similar program is now known as Artists in Healthcare.1996: Piero Gamba returns for special guest conductor appearance, May; Randolph Peters becomes second composer-in-residence.1997: WSO Celebrates 50 years; Robert Shaw returns as special guest conductor, February1999: WSO had its first “Summer Season” including a concert at The Forks and in Kenora, the first time it performed outside the province in 20 years2001: WSO makes debut at Winnipeg Folk Festival with conductor Michael Hall, violinist Mark O’Connor, erhu soloist George Gao, folk group Oregon & guitarist Oscar Lopez, July;2002: Andrey Boreyko starts as Music Director; Return to Manitoba legislature for a gala concert celebrating a visit by Queen Elizabeth II, October; WSO’s New Music Festival celebrates 10 years2004: WSO goes on a northern tour to The Pas, Flin Flon, Thompson, Gillam and Churchill with Boreyko

2006: WSO welcomes current Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate; Violist Elsie Chrunyk retires after a remarkable 52-year term that has been matched by few musicians anywhere2010: WSO’s New Music Festival celebrates 20 years; Boreyko returns to conduct the WSO, February2011: Sistema Winnipeg, a revolutionary music program based on the El Sistema model in Venezuela, begins, October; WSO travels to Ottawa for Prairie Scene Festival2012: WSO celebrates its 65th Anniversary2013: Julian Pellicano is appointed Resident Conductor2014: The WSO travels to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall for a second time in the Spring for Music Festival, May

2015: Mayor Brian Bowman tries his hand at conducting the WSO in Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, January2016: The Winnipeg New Music Festival celebrates 25 years, featured composer is David Lang. WSO transforms Pan Am Pool into a concert venue, January2016: Harry Stafylakis is appointed Composer-in-Residence and WNMF Festival Curator2016: Violin super star Joshua Bell opens the 2016-2017 Season2017: The WSO celebrates its 70th Anniversary

Everycompany, from the large organization to the small family owned business, has its own workplace culture. You see it when you walk into the building, you hear it through the words employees speak, you feel its energy (or sometimes, lack of energy) and you experience it as an employee, customer, partner, etc. every time you interact. Much like a human fingerprint, every culture is unique.

In cities like Winnipeg, where everybody knows everybody, your company’s culture and reputation is being passed along via “the word on the street.” If you have a great company culture you will be able to attract and retain top talent.

If you have a less than desirable company culture it may be difficult to attract, motivate and retain the right people.

Great company cultures create the foundation to become a top revenue-driving organization. These types of organizations often share characteristics that are akin to a beehive of activity - excitement, collaborative problem solving, respect, and a fun, productive place to work. Less than desirable cultures are fraught with employee and management disagreements, high absenteeism and presenteeism (people show up but you don’t know exactly what they produce all day!).

Who defines culture?

Leaders or company owners are the ones who should set the vision for the workplace culture. If you don’t set the thermostat for the desired culture, you will likely not like the temperature! In absence of leadership in this area, the most predominant person(s) will set it for you. A few negative employees at the water cooler can do a significant amount of damage to your company’s culture if there is no direction or guidance from the top.

How to set or re-set your Culture.
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Start by examining your:

Core values - ensure they are lived and felt by people and not just words on a page;

“Jerk Factor” – how many bad eggs are poisoning your workplace? Often the cost to remove and replace is much less than trying to continually address the damage they are causing;

We have a great reputation for achieving results and have partnered with many leading companies, across all industries from small business to large international corporations, and have extensive experience working with and/or volunteering for non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities and organizations. For us, it’s about building the workplaces of tomorrow, today! Check us out at www.cprinc.ca

What’s your business background?
I'm a founding partner of 5468796 Architecture and have been running the firm for the past ten years. In addition to The Chamber, I am currently also a member of EO.

How and why have you been involved in The Chamber?
I observed the great work that The Chamber has been doing in our community from both the perspective of independent businesses, and for general prosperity of our city and wanted to be part of it. The Chamber to me is the modern Agora or the Forum where important conversations happen and new connections are made. It's an incubator for new ideas.

What’s the one thing everyone needs to know about The Chamber?
That business prosperity is not in conflict with community prosperity, but the two go hand in hand. The Chamber is a place where this principle is evident and demonstrated every day.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
There are parts of every business owner's job that we do not enjoy or aren’t passionate about. For any one of those jobs, there is someone out there that loves that area or task. Hire them. They will do twice the job that you are doing because they live and breathe it, and you can focus on and excel at the things you are great at.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
At 18, I spent my first year in Canada in rural Manitoba, in a tiny town of 8 people… I learned a whole lot about farming, played broom ball and was a regular at local socials. So while I’m a city girl through and through, an urbanist and a downtown advocate now, I get and appreciate the hardiness of Manitoba country folk!

What’s your favorite thing about Winnipeg?
Winnipeg is a city where, with effort and sweat equity, it is possible to make almost anything happen. To me, Winnipeg is a city of unlimited opportunity.

What are you looking forward to most about your year as Chair?
I am looking forward to furthering The Chamber’s mission into areas and fields where it perhaps has not yet found its way. Making these new connections represents untapped potential, and can become a frontier for fresh ideas.

Tea or coffee?
Depends on the occasion, I drink both on a regular basis.

Cats or dogs?
I even killed my house plants…. so neither [although I like both and find French Bulldogs in particular: absolutely adorable].

Top movie of all time?
Ugh, I can’t answer this with a single movie. I love movies about powerful human stories, and believe that big budget Hollywood productions are not required to tell a great story and to deal with the complexity and quirkiness of people and their relationships.

Stuck on an island, what are your three must-haves?
Assuming food, water and shelter are taken care of, I’d bring a set of LEGOs, a sketch/note book + pen and a great pair of shoes [preferably several]!

Winnipeg’s best-kept secret?
Its gritty, creative underbelly… groups and individuals in the arts, music, design, architecture, and culinary scene that can make your visit or everyday experience second to none.

My BOLD idea..
Is to take stock of our existing assets and learn to use them effectively – as an example from the world of architecture: 'the greenest building in the world is one that already exists'.

On Thursday, October 5 your Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce provides a review of the past year's accomplishments, our plan for the year ahead and welcome Johanna Hurme as our new Chair. Members are invited to attend the free lunch event at the Radisson Winnipeg Downtown (288 Portage Avenue), registering online to secure their seats.

​Per the rules of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, please note the by-law notification below.

At the June 22, 2017 meeting of the Winnipeg Chamber Board of Directors, the following by-law change was moved and carried. The by-law change will be presented to the membership for resolution at the Annual General Meeting on October 5, 2017

“Moved by Mark Jones; seconded by Johanna Hurme that the revised and updated By-law No. 1 as presented to the Winnipeg Chamber Board of Directors on June 22, 2017, be enacted as By-law No. 1, the general by-law of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, replacing the then existing By-law No. 1, that the revised and updated By-law No. 1 be executed by the Chair and the Treasurer, and that the revised and updated By-law No. 1 be presented to the members of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce at its next annual meeting for confirmation and adoption. Motion carried.”